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So far Michael Silber has created 1944 blog entries.

Texas

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) appointed Mike McKinney, M.D., Golinda Erowele, PharmD, and Tony Schell to the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative Governing Board. McKinney will serve as the Chair of the Board tasked with developing a business plan to provide cost effective drugs and other medical supplies for the public employee sector. 

Also in Texas, the Governor reappointed two chain pharmacists, Rick Fernandez with Walgreens, and Julie Spier with Albertsons Companies to additional 6-year terms to the State Board of Pharmacy. Gov. Abbott also appointed two new members to the Board, Randy Martin, a pharmacist and clinical services manager at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, and public member Garrett Marquis, chief communications officer for the Bank of New York Mellon. 

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) alerted providers that beginning January 1, 2024, the managed care organization Amerigroup, began operating under a new name Wellpoint.  

Finally in Texas, the State Board of Pharmacy updated licensing and renewal fees effective January 1, 2024. Fees for pharmacists and pharmacies have increased, but there was no change to pharmacy technician fees. The Board of Pharmacy also established new fees for remote pharmacies. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2024-01-12T11:43:49-05:00January 12, 2024|Texas|

Vermont

On January 11, the Department of Health released the following notice regarding increased RSV cases and its strain on the health system. Reports have been sent to the Department that pregnant patients have been turned away from pharmacies. The Department asked that pharmacies are aware that: 

  • Pregnant individuals are eligible for Abrysvo.  
    • If a particular pharmacy does not have Abrysvo, please refer the pregnant individual to a location that does have it.  
    • We have Immunization Registry (IMR) data showing that pharmacies are administering Abrysvo to women of childbearing age. The IMR does not collect pregnancy status.  
  • Adults 60 years of age and older are eligible and encouraged to receive either Arexvy or Abrysvo vaccine.  
    • IMR data shows that pharmacies are giving doses to older adults.        

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

2024-01-12T11:43:12-05:00January 12, 2024|Vermont|

Washington

The legislature convened on January 8. Lawmakers will need to agree to a supplemental budget.

Also in Washington, legislation to expand pharmacists’ prescriptive authority was filed in both chambers. HB 2116 by Reps. My-LinhThai (D) and Vandana Slatter (D) was referred to the Health and Wellness Committee, and SB 6019 by Sen. Ron Muzzall (R) was referred to the Senate Health Long-Term Care Committee. 

Also in Washington, SB 5213 by Sen. Patty Kurderer (D), pharmacy’s PBM reform bill, was carried over from the 2023 session. 

Also in Washington, in compliance with the Settlement Agreement in the case of National Association of Chain Drug Stores, et al., v. Health Care Authority (Washington State Court of Appeals No. 51489-3-II), the Health Care Authority (HCA) updated the professional dispensing fees for pharmacies and began issuing adjusted dispensing fee payments December 29, 2023. For more information regarding the updated professional dispensing fees for pharmacies and adjusted dispensing fee payments, the HCA provided a FAQ. Questions can be emailed to applehealthpharmacypolicy@hca.wa.gov. 

 Also in Washington, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) filed for Emergency Rulemaking to codify in rule the FDA’s approval of certain naloxone hydrochloride nasal sprays as over the counter. The rule was effective immediately and will remain in effect for 120 days but will be refiled as needed while permanent rulemaking is in progress. 

Also in Washington, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) adopted rules on Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Remote Dispensing Sites implementing SSB 6086 (Chapter 244, Laws of 2020) allowing a pharmacy to extend its pharmacy license to a remote dispensing site where technology is used to dispense medications used for the treatment of OUD or its symptoms, effective January 18. 

Also in Washington, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) issued an FAQ in response to questions regarding health care entities (HCEs) and the 72-hour dispensing limitation.  

Finally in Washington, the five-member Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) that was enacted to reduce Rx costs to consumers issued its 2023 Annual Report. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2024-01-12T11:42:29-05:00January 12, 2024|Washington|

Alaska

The Board of Pharmacy approved a training resource from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America – Alaska Chapter for the prescribing and dispensing of epinephrine. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2023-12-15T10:44:33-05:00December 15, 2023|Alaska|

California

The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and weekly notices on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.  

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following:  

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy proposed modifications to the following. To view all documents associated with these proposed regulatory actions and other pending regulations, visit the board’s “Pending Regulations” webpage.  

  • Designation of Pharmacist-in-Charge 
  • Temporary License for Military Spouses 
  • Modified Text 
  • 15-Day Comment Period: December 13, 2023-December 28, 2023 
  • Notice to Consumers 

Also in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed Sarah Brooks, as Chief Deputy Director of Health Care Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Given the capacity to manage program growth and increased complexity of the programs, moving forward, the Chief Deputy Director for Health Care Programs and State Medicaid Director will be two separate roles. The Chief Deputy Director for Health Care Programs will focus on internal program implementation and operations in California’s health care programs, whereas the State Medicaid Director will focus on Medi-Cal policy development and relationships with its external partners, including the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Recruitment efforts are ongoing for a State Medicaid Director. 

Finally in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced the launch of a new tool to continue the state’s efforts to fight the ongoing opioid crisis – a comprehensive website with resources for Californians: Opioids.CA.GOV. This website serves as a reliable source of information on prevention, data, treatment and support. Also, Californians can access information related to the state’s use of opioid settlement funds and efforts to hold drug-traffickers accountable.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2023-12-15T10:56:01-05:00December 15, 2023|California|

Iowa

The Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa Medicaid posted the following:  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2023-12-15T10:41:25-05:00December 15, 2023|Iowa|

Louisiana

The Department of Health issued an informational bulletin on tobacco cessation counseling. 

Also in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) updated the available options to providers for pursuing resolution of issues with Medicaid managed care organizations (MCO) and the state’s fee-for-service (FFS) claims processor, Gainwell Technologies. Unless explicitly notated, providers should first seek resolution with the MCO or Gainwell directly, prior to engaging LDH or other third parties. 

Finally in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy is soliciting comments and holding a Public Hearing on December 28 on three proposed rule changes: 

  1. Regulatory Project 2023-09 ~ Product Integrity – (temperature control for mail order) 
  2. Regulatory Project 2023-10 ~ Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP)  
  3. Regulatory Project 2023-11 ~ Pharmacists Application 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2023-12-15T10:40:50-05:00December 15, 2023|Louisiana|

Maine

The Board of Pharmacy held its monthly meeting on December 7. The agenda covered the following policies and updates: 

  • Access to HIV Prevention Medications, including PEP and PrEP Protocols 
  • Access to Birth Control by Making Certain Contraception Accessible from a Pharmacist 
  • Authorize Vaccine Administration by Pharmacy Technicians and Reduce Vaccine Administration Training Requirements for Pharmacists 
  • Licensure by Endorsement  
  • Board Rule Chapter Amend Limits on Medication in Vending Machines 
  • Pharmacists Dispense an Emergency Supply of Chronic Maintenance Drugs 
  • Telehealth Rulemaking Status – Update 

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

2023-12-15T10:39:47-05:00December 15, 2023|Maine|

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